Our View: Thank you for helping to make a big difference

In just two days thousands of people across the nation will make a difference in the lives of their friends, neighbors and fellow community members.

The annual Make A Difference Day, sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine and Points of Light, is the largest day of community service in the nation. It is, according to its website, "a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Millions of volunteers from around the world will unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others."

Thousands of projects are planned each year involving corporations, communities, nonprofit organizations and individuals. In Sheboygan County, a few projects will be highlighted.

The day will start at 9 a.m. at the farmer's market at Fountain Park in downtown Sheboygan with Souper Saturday. Visitors will be able to sample five different soups made by local chefs with ingredients found at the Farmer's Market. The soups will be served by volunteers from Sheboygan Press Media and the Nourish Program, a local farm to table operation.

Next to where the soups will be served will be a tent where visitors can learn more about volunteer opportunities throughout Sheboygan County. On hand to explain more about their organizations will be staff and volunteers from a number of local organizations. Visitors also will be able to register to win one of two gift baskets.

Above & Beyond Children's Museum will hold a Halloween Fun Day and sell carnival food like popcorn, soda and corn dogs. There will also be trick-or-treating through all three floors of the museum, with carnival games scattered in between.

Therapy Dogs of Sheboygan County will visit area nursing homes and assisted living centers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The agency has arranged to visit three facilities, where they will introduce the dogs, tell stories of how they became therapy dog teams, and let residents meet and play with the animals. Many of the residents have owned dogs previously, but cannot in their present circumstances.

The Family Resource Center of Sheboygan County, 1500 Douglas Drive, Plymouth, will be the host site for a United Healthcare food giveaway to benefit anyone in the county who consider themselves "food insecure." Participants can receive a bag of healthy, fresh food from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No eligibility documentation is required.

We wish there were other projects to report in our area. There are so many needs and, we know, so many good people willing to help meet them. Most of those participating in Make A Difference Day activities do it not for the honor (although there are awards and recognitions from the hosting organizations), but out of a genuine desire to help others in need. That is the spirit that launched Make A Difference Day more than two decades ago, and one that continues to this day.

Thank you for helping to make a difference in so many ways on Saturday. And remember, it is never too early to begin planning your project for next year. Visit makeadifferenceday.com to get started.

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Our View: Thank you for helping to make a big difference

In just two days thousands of people across the nation will make a difference in the lives of their friends, neighbors and fellow community members.

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